1. Kendrick Lamar
It should be no surprise that Kendrick Lamar has been blowing up recently. he's aware of the need to make a hit, but he doesn't make those hits un-listenable to Hip-hop heads like myself (see J.Cole, Wale). I actually enjoy K.Dots singles. On top of that, he's part of, what I consider, the best group in Hip-Hop right now. TDE's
Black Hippy. Who? Black Hippy. If you've never heard of them I understand, but start looking up their music right now. You wont be dissapointed. Anyways, Kendricks Flow, Word usage, and movement is untouchable by any other rapper out right now. on top of that his Voice is so original. the mixture of Raspyness and softness makes his voice the work of art it is.
Oh, and he has a Dre Co-sign.
Personal Favorite Albums/ Mixtapes:
Section.80
O.Verly D.Edicated
Songs To Listen To:
A.D.H.D
Cartoon & Cereal Ft. Gunplay
Faith Ft. BJ The Chicago Kid, Punch
Fuck Your Ethnicity
HiiiPower
Ignorance Is Bliss
Michael Jordan Ft. ScHoolboy Q
Rigamortus
Ronald Reagan Era
Swimming Pools (Drank)
Wanna Be Heard
2. J. Cole
We all know who J.Cole is at this point. We've all heard his "Radio Songs". but what makes him so special? His Drive. If you just listen to the way he says his words you can hear the hurt, and the need to win. Thats what makes him a entity in the rap game. Given, J. Cole isnt the best out there, the most lyrical, none of that. But no matter what hes talking about the feelings in his words make you relate, even if you've never been in a similar situation.
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes:
The Warm up
Friday Night Lights
Songs To Listen To:
Can't Cry
Carolina On My Mind
Disgusting
Gods Gift
Higher
Home For The Holidays
Knock On Wood
Lights Please
Losing My Balance
Lost Ones
Playground
Return Of Simba
3. Freddie Gibbs
If anyone should be considered a hometown hero, its Gangsta Gibbs. He's a rapper from Gary, Indiana, and he reps Gary hard. Gary is an awful city that was hit hard with the recession, but his rapping will hopefully bring it out of the slump its in. Hes got something about him that just pulls you in. I'm not quite sure what it is but I love the energy he brings
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes:
Cold Day In Hell
Str8 Slammin Vol. 2
Songs To Listen To:
187 Proof
Boxframe Cadillac
Heaven Can Wait
Let Em Burn
Let Ya Nuts Hang
Menace ii Society Ft. Dom Kennedy
My Homeboys Girlfriend
National Anthem (Fuck The World)
Rob Me A Nigga Ft. Alley Boy
The Ghetto
What It Be Like
4. Ab-Soul
Ab-Soul or Soul Brotha Number 2, or The Black lip bastard is Black Hippies self-acclaimed Underdog. which im not quite sure why. his music is beautiful. hes "A Fuckin' Genius, Grippin his fuckin' penis" so to speak. I cant really do him justice, so your just gonna need to check him out yourself... Oh, Dont Forget The Dash.
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes:
Long Term 2
Control System
Songs To Listen To:
A Day In The Life
Can Anybody Hear Me Ft. Punch
Donnie Brasco Ft. Fashawn & One-2
Double Standards
ILLuminate Ft. Kendrick Lamar
Long Term 2
Mayday
Pineal Gland
SOPA Ft. Schoolboy Q
Soul Cry
Turn Me Up Ft. Kendrick Lamar
5. Casey Veggies
This was a close one. I enjoy his music, but it definately isn't great. he's entertaining to listen to, but alot of his stuff sounds the same. I think he'll Grow into his own eventually, thats why he's included on this list
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes
Customized Greatly 3
Sleeping In Class
Songs To Listen To:
Bye Summer
Forever Ft. Bj The Chicago Kid
Garden
PCINTLOFWGKTA Ft. Domo Genesis, Tyler The Creator, Hodgy Beats, & Earl Sweatshirt
Roses
Toe Tag
6. Earl Sweatshirt
"I hope I lose you as a fan if you only fuck with me cause I rapped about raping girls when i was 15."
Lyrical Genius. Wordplay Phenomonal. The only 2 ways to describe Earl. Look at his following. hes released maybe 20 songs tops, and has millions of fans. The kid is 18 years old, and making amazing music. I dont want to hear "Well KillTheReal, he raps about weird shit" so what? you dont like originality?
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes:
Earl
Songs To Listen To:
Earl
Epar
Home
Kill
Luper
Rebellious Shit
7. Joe Budden
Okay, so Joe Buddens not really a new guy like everyone else on this list, but hes Very underground, and deserves a listen from everyone. Aside from Kendrick Lamar, I cant think of a better rapper making music currently. The only thing stopping him from being one of the best ever is his appeal to mainstream. The dude cannot seem to make a hit. But thats not necessarily a bad thing. It's kept his music true, and 100 percent real. Joe Budden is pure poetry.
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes:
Mood Muzik 4: A Turn 4 The Worst
Halfway House
Songs To Listen To:
1000 Faces
Black Cloud
Clothes On A Mannequin
Come Along
Dear Diary
Follow My Lead Ft. Joell Ortiz
Follow Your Lead
Forgive Me
Freight Train
Good Enough
Inception
Just To Be Different
Pray For Me
Sidetracked
State Of You
Stuck In The Moment Ft. Emanny
8. Pusha T
Again, Another Dude who isn't new to the game. BUT, he is new to the solo rap game. He's a former member of Clipse. The old school cocaine flow is lovely, plus hes a G.O.O.D Music affiliate.
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes:
Fear Of God
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Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray
Songs To Listen To:
Alone In Vegas
Can I Live
Cook It Down
Exodus 23:1
Feeling Myself Ft. Kevin Cossum
My God
Trouble On My Mind Ft. Tyler The Creator
9. ScHoolBoy Q
Ignorant. Thoughtful. Comfortable. All words that come to mind when trying to describe ScHoolBoy Q. Where he comes up with the flows he has is beyond me. And yes. I ment flows with an 'S'. He has a different flow on every song. Oh, And he's in Black Hippy. Give him Gangsta of the year.
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes
Setbacks
Habits & Contradictions
Songs To Listen To:
Birds & The Beez Ft. Kendrick Lamar
Blessed Ft. Kendrick Lamar
Druggys Wit Hoes Ft. Ab-Soul
Gangsta In Designer (No Concept)
Hands On The Wheel Ft. A$AP Rocky
My Homie
Pass The Blunt Ft. Ab-Soul
Put In Work
Say Wassup Ft. Black Hippy
10. A$AP Rocky
A$AP Rocky blew up, Pretty much out of nowhere. I heard Purple Swag on accident when it only had 650 views, and have been a fan Since. But literally 2 months after the day i saw purple swag hes got a feature in XXL Mag, he's dropping a huge mixtape, and being signed. His appeal? Well, his swag for one, and his mixture of a southern style and a New York style. The kid bleeds originality.
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes:
Live.Love.A$AP
Songs To Listen To:
Bass
Brand New Guy Ft. ScHoolboy Q
Demons
Goldie
Houston Old Head
Leaf
Out Of This World
Palace
Peso
Pretty Flacko
Purple Swag
11. Nipsey Hussle
Nipsey Hussle is so underrated. His appeal is phenomenal. He makes Straight riding music. strictly Gangsta shit. He's the type of dude you want to see win. And you know he will, or he'll die trying.
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes:
The Marathon
The Marathon Continues
Songs To Listen To:
7 Days A Week
Forever On Some Fly Shit
Hussle In The House
I Dont Give A Fucc
I Need That Ft. Dom Kennedy
Keys 2 The City
Mac 11 On The Dresser
Road To Riches
Thas Wat Hoes Do Ft. YG & Rimpau
Who Detached Us Ft. Steve Jobs
Young Rich And Famous
12. XV
XV's been around awhile, he just hasnt really gained any mainstream acceptance. Which is sort of weird considering he has a poppy sound about him. Dont get me wrong, I dont mean poppy as a bad thing by any means. He still manages to make good music, even with the Poppish sound. Plus he drops mixtape after mixtape, and i love hearing good new music.
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes:
Vizzy Zone
Zero Heroes
Songs To Listen To:
Andy Warhol Ft. Slim Da Mobster
Awesome
Familiar
Mirrors Edge Ft. Mike Posner
Nevermind
Passport
Pictures On My Wall
Smallville
Swervin'
Talk My Shit
The Dark Horse
13.Childish Gambino
It's a hit or miss with Gambino. But when its a hit, its a big hit. Heres to hoping Glover starts consistently making great rap music. He's also a great standup comedian.
Personal Favorite Albums/Mixtapes:
Royalty
Camp
Songs To Listen To:
Black Faces Ft. Nipsey Hussle
Bonfire
Heartbeat
It May Be Glamour Life Ft. Ghostface Killah
Real Estate Ft. Swank, Alley Boy, & Tina Fey
Shoulda Known
Toxic Ft. Danny Brown
Unnecessary Ft. Schoolboy Q
To Be Continued...
